An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - November 2015

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Our fantasy themed BOTM for November is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Please remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.



Book Summary
Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

This book was just nominated for two Goodreads Choice Awards - Debut Author and YA Fantasy & Science Fiction! Who's planning to read it this month?

[Suzanne]

I'm next in line at the library!

[Mary-ellen]

I've read it. I loved it.

I was a bit wary of reading it because YA Fantasy can be a bit formulaic, but I really enjoyed it. I'm not surprised it's rating so highly on goodreads. I've already added Book 2 to my TBR list and I'm really looking forward to it. Now I just have to deal with the curse of discovering a new series early in the piece ... the wait!

[Emelie]

I just finished Reading it yesterday and I enjoyed it more than perhaps I thought I would. It's a basic storlyline that's been written Before yet I couldn't put the book down once I started Reading it. I enjoyed the characters and that they felt realistic with their thoughts, feelings and actions.

The adventure part of it was interesting too, and how it affected the characters we follow in the book. As Mary-ellen I've put the next book on my TBR - thankyfully it's due to realease in spring next year.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

Good luck, Suzanne! Hope you get it soon.

I'm not sure I'll be able to read this one this month. I don't own it and I just moved, so I'm not set up at the library yet. I have it on my TBR though and really do hope I can read it soon.

[Andrea]

I read it last month and I loved it!! It was nothing I expected. It was a little brutal and dark, but I found the book perfect. I can't wait for the next book.

[McLendon]

Finished this one yesterday and was surprised how quickly it hooked me. So often I have found that the fantasy world-building can be heavy handed and awkward. But Sabaa Tahir really handled this masterfully and it was easy to sink right into the story and lives of the characters.

[Nicoleta]

I really enjoyed this book ... Waiting for the continuation

[Nat]

Hi :)

If you have finished reading the book and you are interested
in contributing to the official wiki here is the link http://anemberintheashes.wikia.com/wi... can you please join us to expand the wiki. It looks like the wiki needs some improvement and active members. Your contribution to the wiki is highly appreciated. Thanks!